Posted by The biggest game of the Clausura 2020 will take place behind closed doors on Sunday when América host Cruz Azul in another installment of the Clásico Joven. In anticipation of the match, here is a combined 11 from the two teams, with the players aligned in a 4-4-2 formation:
Goalkeeper: Guillermo Ochoa (América)
An América legend and one of the best goalkeepers in Mexican history, Ochoa rejoined his boyhood club in June 2019 after an eight-year spell abroad in the French, Spanish and Belgian first divisions. Despite his undoubted pedigree, Ochoa’s second stint with América has not been as successful as his first. At 34, Ochoa’s world-class shot-stopping ability is still intact, and he has produced multiple match-winning performances this season. Yet, he has also cost his team goals with missed punches or poorly-timed attempts to claim crosses.
While “Memo” has not consistently repeated his standout performances from the 2014 and 2018 World Cups since rejoining América, he is still Mexico’s best keeper, and should be in the starting 11 if Mexico qualify for Qatar. Cruz Azul netminder José de Jesús Corona has also been one of the best at his position in Mexico for the last decade, but he is still inferior to Ochoa.
Right-Back: Juan Escobar (Cruz Azul)
Signed from Paraguayan giants Cerro Porteño last July for $6.9 million, Escobar has improved dramatically in his second season with Cruz Azul. A versatile player, Escobar was played exclusively at center-back this season until central defensive partner Pablo Aguilar suffered a season-ending ACL tear on February 18th in a CONCACAF Champions League match against Portmore United.
The devastating injury to Aguilar forced a rethink from head coach Robert Dante Siboldi, who moved Escobar out to right-back. The Paraguayan international has terrorized opposing defenses since then, with his strength and pace allowing him to get to the byline at will and deliver dangerous cutbacks. Given his experience at center-back, Escobar also defends his flank capably, and is hard to beat either in the air or on the ground. Although he has just five caps to his name with Paraguay, Escobar will surely get further international recognition if he keeps up his form.
Center-Back: Bruno Valdez (América)
Arguably América’s best player in recent seasons, Valdez is the glue that holds his side together at the back. Six of the ten goals that América have conceded this season came with Valdéz off the field, including the recent 3-3 draw with archrivals Pumas.
While Valdez is a rock at the heart of América’s defense, his strength in the air is also crucial for his side going forward. The Paraguayan has 23 goals in 163 games for las Águilas, including 7 in the title-winning Apertura 2018 campaign, when he was the team’s top-scorer. With the significant contributions that Valdez makes at both ends of the pitch, it is no surprise that América turned down a $10 million offer from Brazilian giants Flamengo this past summer.
Center-Back: Luis Romo (Cruz Azul)
Jettisoned from Cruz Azul at 15, Romo linked up with Querétaro, where he made his professional debut in January 2018. A breakout campaign during the Apertura 2019 caught the attention of la Máquina, who decided to sign their former academy player this past offseason. Romo has starred since rejoining Cruz Azul, proving why the club should have never let him go in the first place.
Comfortable in midfield or at center-back, Romo was initially deployed in the engine room alongside Rafael Baca. However, the injury to Pablo Aguilar saw Romo moved to center-back, where the Sinaloa-born player has continued to impress. Romo’s positional sense and composure on the ball have softened the blow of Aguilar’s absence and made him an instant fan-favorite. Furthermore, Romo has brought the goalscoring knack he developed at Querétaro over to his new club. He is a constant danger from set pieces, evidenced by his towering header for the opener in the recent 2-1 victory over Tigres. At just 24, Cruz Azul have signed a player that can be the backbone of their side for years to come.
Left-Back: Adrián Aldrete (Cruz Azul)
A vastly experienced player, Aldrete has made 407 Liga MX appearances since his professional debut in 2006. Fifty-eight of those appearances came with América, giving Aldrete extra motivation to beat Cruz Azul’s arch-rivals. His former employers will have to be careful not to allow Aldrete too many free-kick opportunities. The 2005 U-17 World Cup winner is a dead-ball specialist, and already has two goals this season from direct free-kicks.
Central-Midfielder: Richard Sánchez (América)
Yet another Paraguayan international in this starting 11, Sánchez parlayed a successful Copa América into a $7 million move to las Águilas this past August. Sánchez’s signing coincided with the departure of key midfielders Mateus Uribe and Edson Álvarez to Porto and Ajax, respectively. When 2018-19 Liga MX MVP Guido Rodríguez left for Real Betis in January, América’s entire starting midfield from the Clausura 2019 had been disassembled.
This mass exodus put extra pressure on Sánchez to perform immediately, and the former Olimpia man has handled the expectations with aplomb. He has quickly established himself as a vital cog in the middle of the park, with América’s build-up play often passing through his boots. His set-piece delivery is excellent, and he is tied for second in the league with 21 chances created. With Uribe, Álvarez and Rodríguez all evidence of America’s increased focus on buying promising young players and selling them on for profit to Europe, it is surely just a matter of time before Sánchez gets his big-money move abroad.
Central-Midfielder: Sebastián Córdova (América)
Another promising América youngster, Córdova has drawn attention from prominent European clubs such as Sevilla, Real Betis, Benfica and Manchester United in recent months. Although a move this summer might come too early for the 22 year-old, Córdova’s rapid development suggests that he has the potential to eventually star on the old continent.
América head coach Miguel Herrera has used Córdova all over the pitch, with the former Necaxa loanee spending time on both wings, as a number 8 or as an attacking midfielder. Given the surfeit of quality attacking options in these two teams and the relative paucity of midfielders, Córdova’s experience in the engine room makes him a perfect choice for one of the central midfield berths.
Left-Winger: Roberto Alvarado (América)
Still just 21, it seems like Alvarado has been around for a lot longer. He initially caught the eye at Necaxa during the Clausura 2018, registering a goal and five assists in 17 matches. He moved to Cruz Azul the following summer and continued his strong form in his debut campaign, with two goals and four assists during the Apertura 2018. Links to heavyweight European clubs, including Manchester United, began to surface, but Alvarado could not build on his sterling first season with La Máquina. Even though Alvarado’s talent was evident, he struggled in the next two seasons, often drifting drifting in-and-out of matches without stamping his authority.
However, this season Alvarado has recaptured the form that saw him touted as one of Mexico’s best prospects. He is leading the league in assists with five, and has formed a telepathic understanding with attacking partners Elías Hernández and Jonathan Rodríguez. In addition to his rediscovered creative productivity, Cruz Azul will be encouraged by Alvarado’s two-goal outburst in the 4-2 win over Tijuana last weekend. Those strikes were Alvarado’s first in the league since he scored in the 5-2 demolition of América in round 13 last season. Cruz Azul fans will be hoping that Alvarado can find the net again against América this Sunday.
Right-Winger: Elías Hernández (Cruz Azul)
Long recognized as one of Liga MX’s most talented players, Hernández’s form had taken a nosedive in the last two seasons after an eye-catching Apertura 2018 with la Máquina. The former León winger is back to his influential best this season, and has been just as important to his side as league-leading goalscorer Jonathan Rodríguez. Hernández ranks in the league’s top 10 for goals, assists, successful take-ons, dangerous crosses and chances created, demonstrating his all-around excellence in Robert Dante Siboldi’s attack.
Hernández has been particularly brilliant since Siboldi moved him into a second-striker position behind Rodríguez for the round 8 match against Morelia. The central starting position allows Hernández to maximize the threat of his powerful shot from distance, while still affording him the freedom to drift wide and deliver telling crosses. Cruz Azul have scored four goals in both of their matches since Hernández’s positional switch, and he has the talent to also tear apart América’s backline.
Center-Forward: Jonathan Rodríguez (Cruz Azul)
With a goal every 96 minutes so far this season, Rodriguez’s remarkable goalscoring record deserves mention. Yet, the Uruguayan international is so much more than a goal-getter, with his all-around play just as important to his side. Starting from a nominal center-forward position, Rodriguez uses his experience as a winger to drift into wide positions, vacating space for players like Hernández and Alvarado to run into. Furthermore, his link-up play is sharp, and he is capable of dropping deep to connect with Cruz Azul’s midfielders.
Rodríguez struggled at Cruz Azul initially under Pedro Caixinha, and scored only once in his first campaign in Mexico City. The Uruguayan has benefitted immensely from the tutelage of Robert Dante Siboldi, who coached Rodríguez at Santos during the Coahuila club’s Apertura 2018 title-winning season. With Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani both the wrong side of 30, the 26 year-old Rodríguez has the talent to become Uruguay’s starting center-forward if he can continue his progression.
Just for Kicks 